Introduction to Social Media
For Centers for Independent Living
Presented by Michele Martin

Objectives
• Define social media
• Look at how organizations use it
• Define some key principles for using
social media
• Discuss how these principles apply to
CILs

The Numbers
50% of adults online have a MySpace profile
22% of adults online have a Facebook profile
In August 08, 23.7 million people visited
64.7 million upload photos to Flickr
Twitter grew 753% in 2008 to 4.5 million users

Individuals with disabilties. . .
• Spend twice as much • More likely to report
time online (20 hrs. they are more
vs. 10 hrs) connected (44% vs.
38%)
• More likely to report
Internet has • More likely to report
improved quality of they are able to reach
life (48% vs. 27%) out to people with
similar interests (42%
• More likely to report vs. 30%)
that they are better
informed (52% vs. Source: Harris Interactive, 2000
39%)

Social media helps people. . .
• Find and share
quality information
• Connect to others
who share their
interests
• Have conversations
• Work
collaboratively

Social media helps organizations. . .
• Listen • Build community
• Participate in online • Raise money
conversations
• Provide inexpensive
• Tell their stories professional
development
• Create awareness

Social Media is NOT. . .

Social Media is . . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eye2eye/50892860/

And . . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/furiousgeorge81/177926979/

And . . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/2523825358/

And . . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocs_camp/2171492103/

Powered by . . . .

How is Social Media Being Used?

Listening

Participating

Storytelling
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mairasoares/2967639540/in/pool-rollingrains

Generating “Buzz”

Calls to Action

Community Building

Fundraising

Professional Development
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tojosan/181249465/

What are the “Rules?”

Social Media is NOT. . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/archiemcphee/3074742967/

Social Media IS. . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nyki_m/2702325486/

Social Media is NOT. . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/89927155@N00/3427459604/

Social Media is . . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lincolnblues/1443915052/

Social Media is Not. . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtarga/223776150/

Social Media Is. . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalydose/324264361/

Social Media is Not. . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robino/511879296/

Social Media Is. . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantmac/2639135945/

Social Media is Not. . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fixe/3202648604/

Social Media Is. . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelmarkwitt/2987625115/

In this new world
http://www.flickr.com/photos/will-lion/2645808133/

In this new world
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phauly/35555985/
Trust is about
relationships,
not “experts”

In this new world
People use
social media
to fund and
create change

We need to be. . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/criminalintent/89026773/

And . . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laughingbuddhaz/2535461271/

And . . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jakescreations/99576154/

Now let’s explore!

Resources
• WeAreMedia.org: The Social Media Starter Kit for
Nonprofits
http://www.wearemedia.org/
• Social Media for Nonprofits by Primal Media
http://www.slideshare.net/PrimalMedia/
social-media-non-profits